Match Report – University of Stirling v Preston Athletic

A combination of poor defending, slick forward play and dubious interpretation of the offside rule mean Preston remain firmly rooted to the foot of the Lowland league table.

After a Chris Geddes free kick was deflected out for a corner Paul McAfferty’s in swinging corner kick on 2 minutes deceived Preston keeper Craig Pennycuick and flew into the top corner of the net, Geddes then missed two great chances within minutes latching on to defensive mistakes, firing wide both times.

Robbie Carter and then Gavin Stevenson had good chances to get the Panners back into the game as the Panners started to grow into the game, Carter firing just wide and Stevenson just over. The Students however doubled the advantage just before the half hour as Chris Geddes was played in behind the defence, rounded the advancing Pennycuick and coolly slotted home from a tight angle. It was 3 ten minutes later with a controversial goal which ended with Geddes lobbing Pennycuick from the edge of the box, despite being one of 3 Students yards offside. Preston players protested with the far side official who appeared to be badly out of position. The same situation happened again only moments later as two players from the home side were at least 5 yards offside the official again bizarrely waving play on but Pennycuick saved well, the Preston bench were spoken to this time as the frustration boiled over.

Preston however managed to find a way back right after half time with 2 very quick goals, the first a Jason Young lob and then a combination of Fabio Neto and Carter bundling the ball home from an error by keeper Tim Hughes. The visitors nearly equalised as Kevin Keane fired just wide, but Rory McEwan and Harvey Moyes put the hosts on cruise control scoring from fast counters as the visitors pushed forward before Preston’s Keane rifled in a consolation late on.